Forget-Me-Not Blue

By: Jamie Steinberg

Con and Sofie are two peas in a pod. The brother and sister duo have always leaned on one another throughout their mother’s addiction – whether it be to protect one another from “stupid boyfriends” or the occasional disappearance. However, this time is different. This time truly tests the bond these two share and whether or not they can remain together. Forget-Me-Not Blue by Sharelle Byers Moranville offers captivating prose, but I’m not sure the targeted young adult audience is truly who will find the words resonating with.

Connie (“Con”) and Sofia (“Sofie”) live in a home they (sometimes) share with their mother, Ashley. When Ashley is not working at Tommy’s – a local restaurant – she’s partying with her friends. Often those parties find their way to her house, so Connie and Sofie hide in the attic. Connie is the best protective brother to his sweet little sister – fifth grade avid reader Sofie. “Forget-me-not blue” refers to the walls of Ashley’s bedroom and her favorite color. While Con and Sofie may be comfortable (by that I mean they are used to it) with their traumatic living arrangements everything changes when their mother disappears. Thankfully, they have a new roommate to look after them a bit – their recently reunited grandpa Gunner who is fresh out of prison and looking to stay sober. Sofie is wary of him but does her best to distract herself with her favorite things – books and the idea of winning the special end of the year award her teacher hands out. However, with their mother gone it may not mean that Con and Sofie can keep their promise to stick together at all costs.

As previously mentioned, I’m not sure this book is properly targeted for “Ages 8-12” as noted on the book. Addiction and child abandonment are both tough topics on their own and I am uncertain if Forget-Me-Not Blue – as sweet as the connection is that is shared by Con and Sofie – is still something parents of kids these ages would feel comfortable with their children reading about. Yes, I know these are real life situations, but I am still a bit wary based on the heaviness that these subjects hold. However, my other qualms with this read are minor. The book title isn’t very telling of what the story within holds and the cover is a drawing of Sofie in a bathing suit – an activity she starts out doing towards the beginning but quickly has to abandon. Why not depict her sleeping arrangements with Con in the attic with a book in her hand? Maybe we could see Sofie coveting a globe – the award she is desperate to achieve? Regardless, the book is a voracious read and a heartbreaking tale of the deep bonds shared by siblings.

Forget-Me-Not Blue is the distressing story of a sister and brother who are put in the middle of their mother’s addiction. They risk everything in order to remain together, but unlike many others in a similar situation they have a couple of kind people looking out for them and after them. While the topics of this book may be a bit difficult for young readers, I really think they’ll love Sofie’s journey.